New US ambassador wants nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to visit NZ

US ambassador to New Zealand Jared Novelly.

The new US Ambassador to New Zealand has told media he'd like to host a basketball game on the flight deck of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in Auckland.

Jared Novelly became the United States’ ambassador to New Zealand this week and, in speaking to media for the first time, he said he’d like to go back in time to change New Zealand's mind on its nuclear-free policy.

“I want to go into a DeLorean and go back to 1985, maybe I could fix this nuclear thing,” Novelly said when asked about New Zealand’s nuclear-free stance.

He mentioned the size of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in San Diego and Pearl Harbour.

“I would love to see one of our aircraft carriers come down, in Auckland Harbour, the City of Sails, so that you can see what it is and what we have. They say the only thing better than having a boat is having a friend with a boat.

he world's largest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, arrives at the Port of Marseille, France, for a one-week port visit.

“We could stage a basketball game on the flight deck. You need to see these things and realise that it’s not some sort of boogie-man that you have to worry about, I’d really like the opportunity to work with New Zealand on that exact topic.”

However, he added his role is not to change New Zealand domestic policy.

“I’m not here to change your mind, I’m here to respect your opinions.”

Jared Novelly told media he'd like to host a basketball game on the flight deck of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in Auckland.

The ambassador's post has been vacant since January 2025, with Novelly arriving in the role with a celebration of US independence in Wellington on Thursday. The US Embassy hosted a party at Wellington’s Tākina event centre, featuring a DeLorean from the film trilogy Back to the Future.

Critical minerals in the Cook Islands 'a priority'

In speaking with media on Friday, Novelly also emphasised the economic potential for the Cook Islands on critical minerals in its Exclusive Economic Zone.

“Critical minerals, particularly in the Cooks, is either 1A or 1B of my priorities,” said Novelly.

One Foot Island in the South Pacific. Aitutaki, Cook Islands.

He said it was critical for the US to diversify sources for cobalt, mentioning China’s refining industry involving the minerals mined in Central Africa.

“It is something that would be transformative for the Cook Islands,” he added.

“I can definitely introduce them to US companies that can help, I will definitely do that if allowed,” he said.

When asked about New Zealand’s defence spending, he reinforced comments from US Secretary of War Pete Hesgeth around countries boosting their defence spending to 3.5% of their national spending.

“The administration collectively has asked the rest of the world to carry their own water, and it is important, I’m paraphrasing, I think, but it’s important that you care about your defence as much as we care about your defence, and that does mean increasing spending.”

In May, Hegseth named New Zealand as one of the countries “freeloading” off the American military.

Hegseth made the comments today at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia-Pacific's premier security conference.

“I don't have anything against New Zealand, I want partners to step up,” Hegseth said.

A survey by the Asia New Zealand Foundation last month found Kiwis' "friend perceptions" of China had increased from 39% to 43% while the same perceptions of the US fell from 61% to 39%. Novelly said he was disappointed by those numbers.

“The free press is important for any democracy or any relationship to survive and thrive; you know what you know about President Trump and you know what you know about America because of the free press.

“That’s what’s done here as well, that’s not what you get in China. So, I question the poll, whether you really know who your friends are,” he said.

Long-time association with Trump

Regarding his relationship with Donald Trump, he said he met him many times before he became President.

“We have a lot in common,” said Novelly.

Novelly grew up in St Louis, Missouri and mentioned he worked in a factory and Blockbuster Video before getting a job at telecommunications company AT&T.

He went on to be a director of the Apex Oil Corporation and owns the Australian basketball team the Illawarra Hawks.

He has a Masters of Property Development at the University of Technology Sydney and a B.A. from Saint Louis University in St Louis, Missouri.

Novelly is also the US Ambassador to Samoa and said he’ll make a trip there to present his credentials in August.